Social media & revolution

“The social media which is championed by those revolving door apparatchiks moving between the State Department and silicon valley (eg) is not organisation itself, but merely a means to it and, as it turns out, a dispensable means.”

So quickly forgotten by well-intentioned, excitable futurists!

Even among friends I’ve heard more excitable talk about Google’s (admirable if potentially misguided) efforts to allow Egyptians to tweet than about, say, the extremely impressive grassroots organisation on display in Egypt.

Perhaps it is simply that for many Western people it is easier to relate to the use of social media than it is to relate to those reacting with passion, courage and dedication to a corrupt and authoritarian government.